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Cipriani wants Sharks to grow

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 14:26

Nice to get three more big players into the team

Controversial English flyhalf Danny Cipriani is looking for more big names to make their way to Sale as they continue to grow.

Cipriani, who is out of contract with the English club at the end of this season, is looking to stay with Sale after helping them avoid relegation in his first year and getting them up to sixth last season.

"I would be happy to stay if they [Sale] show some ambition to keep me," the former Wasps man told BBC Radio Manchester.

Looking ahead, Cipriani believes the club could benefit from the signing of a few more big names if Sale are going to push for higher honours.

Several regulars, such as scrumhalf Dwayne Peel, fullback Rob Miller and prop Henry Thomas, have left Sale during the off season.

They have however been replaced by a number of internationals, former England flanker Magnus Lund the latest to move to the AJ Bell Stadium on a one-year deal earlier this week.

"I still feel like it would be nice to get three more big players into the team, just when you look at the squads that are available for the teams above us and the rotation they can do, but we're building towards that," Cipriani continued.

"We're in a new stadium and we're hopefully going to get more numbers here moving to Saturday games.

"Rugby union in the north has a buzz about it and it's going to be a big year.

"We're in a better starting position than we were last year so it's important we add to it and move on."

Cipriani emerged out of the international wilderness when he twice appeared as a replacement against the All Blacks for England in June.

Although Stuart Lancaster's side lost all three Tests against the world champions, Cipriani feels he benefited from the experience.

"It was a dream come true," he admitted.

"It had been a while since I'd played for England and to be involved in that environment, especially with the way Stuart Lancaster has it set up, it was the best England environment I've been in.

"People will look at the results and say it won't be a successful tour, losing all three games, but as a team we learned a lot and I personally learned a lot from the coaches involved.

"It's important that people take the lessons on board and move forward for the season coming."